Skip to main content

Cauliflower is a cabbage relative with broad blue-green leaves and a large white head. It is slow to harvest and benefits from a long cool season.

Latin Name

Brassica oleracea (Botrytis)


Family

Brassicaceae


Type of Plant

Annuals Annuals
Vegetables Vegetables

Seasons

Spring Spring

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 2.5'
Max spread Max Spread: 2'

Uses

  • Vegetable
  • Edible

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Colors


    Native Range

    Western Europe


    History

    In May of 1798, Washington's gardener records that he planted "calliflowers" in the lower garden.


    Other Details

    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington

    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Lower Garden Pioneer Farm Upper Garden

  • Lower Garden
  • Pioneer Farm
  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

    Shop Now